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Heartbeat Hawaii opened last Friday in the Royal Hawaiian Theater, taking the vacancy that Waikiki Nei left last October. Calling itself an action-musical that celebrates the spirit of Hawaii, the new show fuses martial arts, Hawaiian and Asian dance styles in a way to symbolize Hawaii’s fusion of cultures. But, the Asian influence far outweighs the Hawaiian—leaving me wishing that there were a few strong Native Hawaiian dancers in the mix, because there were none.
No doubt the cast in Heartbeat Hawaii are skilled dancers and athletes—leaping six feet off the floor, spinning in mid air and somehow landing on their feet in a fighter’s stance. I found myself slumping in my seat at times, hoping that swords, spears, nunchucks, or whips wouldn’t accidentally be hurled in my direction. No, this show is not your normal Waikiki hula show—thank God!—but, it was actually a refreshing chance to see traditional dances and martial arts from Asian countries.
A few favorite performances of mine included, in the first half: “A Tribute to Japan: Tap Clogs” with women in kimono ‘tapping’ along to a drum tempo in traditional Japanese clogs. “A Tribute to Asia: Hair Madness,” a modern piece that had women flinging their hair in unison to beats of drums in a tribal-like procession. And, in the second half: “Heartbeat of Pele,” a nicely choreographed modern dance with a masked Pele ruling the stage.
The quality of the performance drops dramatically, however, as soon as the dancers leave Asian-inspired dance and begin to dance samba or even a small amount of hula. Another disappointing moment was the Epilogue, which came right after an outstanding Grand Finale of drums beating, dancers leaping and weapons flying.
The Epilogue is what reminded me that I was sitting in a Waikiki showroom, watching a performance made specifically for tourists. A young girl wearing a plumeria lei dances hula awkwardly onto the stage while singing the beginning of the show’s theme song “Hawaii is the World.” The entire cast then joins her in chorus as they sway back and forth to the song—and, all I can hear are the words “Aloha Aloha” ringing in my ears for what feels like forever, as I wish I had sat closer to the exit doors.
So, yes the show had its faults, but it had enough great moments to be very entertaining. Would I see this show again? Yes, but, only because my 3-year old son would love the martial arts spectacle and elaborate costumes that really define Heartbeat Hawaii.
Shows Tuesday-Sunday
Royal Hawaiian Theater,
Royal Hawaiian Center
(808)931-6100
Related Links:
www.heartbeathawaii.com
www.sightsoundaction.com.cn/en/
Posted on Monday, July 20, 2009 in | Permalink
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Reader Comments:
Good story!!
Can someone please take out the singer in this show? I was extremely embarrassed for her! Was she supposed to be a joke? People that were seated next to me laughed & booed every time she performed. She was that bad! Although I never watched Waikiki Nei, I do remember hearing how much everyone loved the singer. They should consider using her for this new show, just please dont dress her in those hideous costumes they created for the singer. Talk about random............
So who was worst, the little girl who ruined the hula in the end, the singer or the song "Hawaii is the World"? Watching that girl attempting hula was an awkward moment. We're in Hawaii for crying out loud, maybe that stupid aloha song or dance would work in another state, but definitely not here.
Please change the name of this show to something Asian OR add in some hula done by locals who know what they're doing. Maybe then this show would be somewhat decent.
Saw the show last nite. Didn't see the hula dancer so perhaps she was replaced and the singer (if it was the same girl) was okay. But the show is worth seeing....Great choreography, costumes and dancing! Perhaps the title is a mis-normer and mis-leading but I believe the intention was to incorporate all of Hawaii's ethnic races into a creative, modern, & dynamic show. The drummers on either side of the stage provided most of the tempo and theme...drumming as the commonality heartbeat of all races. Compares well to any Vegas show given the limitations of the stage.